{"id":2850,"date":"2011-10-06T12:34:34","date_gmt":"2011-10-06T16:34:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/ourladyofweightloss\/?p=2850"},"modified":"2011-10-06T12:34:34","modified_gmt":"2011-10-06T16:34:34","slug":"depression-journaling-your-way-to-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/ourladyofweightloss\/2011\/10\/depression-journaling-your-way-to-mental-health.html","title":{"rendered":"Depression: Journaling Your Way to Mental Health"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
She's Too Sexy for Her Fat<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Journaling is an ancient practice <\/strong>dating back, as far as we can see, to 10th Century Japan. It is a tradition that has been kept alive by teenagers and famous people, alike. And there is mounting evidence that journaling has a positive effect on both our physical and mental well-being.<\/p>\n

The Many Health Benefits of Journaling!<\/strong><\/big><\/p>\n

1. Researchers at University of Texas at Austin found that journaling strengthens the immune cells (T-lymphocytes).<\/strong><\/p>\n

2. There is a link between journaling and decreased asthma and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms<\/strong>. Apparently, writing about stressful events helps you to come to terms with them, thus reducing the impact of these stressors on your body.<\/p>\n

3. The very act of writing creates a doorway to the analytical and rational parts of your left brain.<\/strong> While your left brain is busy being analytical, your right brain is completely free to create, feel and be intuitive.<\/strong><\/p>\n

4. Writing removes mental blocks<\/strong>. It creates an opening for you to use all your brainpower. Journaling may deliver unexpected solutions<\/strong> to difficult, sometimes seemingly unsolvable problems.<\/p>\n

5. Journaling helps to clarify your thoughts and feelings.<\/strong> Letting those feelings out on the page reduces stress.<\/strong><\/p>\n

6. Letting go of the stress on the paper, leads to fitful and happy dreams.<\/strong> Sleep tight!<\/p>\n

7. Writing on a consistent basis affords you an opportunity to get to know what makes you happy, sad, anxious, confident,<\/strong> as well as see who and what is affecting you and when! It is a written mental map of your life.<\/p>\n

8. If you are feeling better, you are more likely to permanently remove that excess weight (a.k.a. lose weight<\/strong>). Leave the heaviness on the page.<\/p>\n

9. Keeping a written record of your life sometimes shows you that you are indeed in a much different place than you were one month ago, six months or one year ago. Yay! You are making good progress!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now \u2026 How to Start Journaling<\/strong><\/big><\/p>\n

1. Get a journal and pen that tickle your sou<\/strong>l. Enjoyment is key!!<\/p>\n

2. Write in your diary at the same time each day<\/strong> \u2013 even if just for a minute or two. Consistency is important. Should you miss a day or two or even three, \u201cAll Is Forgiven, Move On.\u201d Go back to it.<\/p>\n

3. Keep in mind, if you are writing very person things that you would rather keep just for yourself, then keep your journal in a private place<\/strong>. Teenage girls keep theirs under lock n\u2019 key! Not a bad idea.<\/p>\n

4. Remember that there is no right or wrong way<\/strong>. There is your way!<\/p>\n

5. It\u2019s okay to make spelling mistakes.<\/strong> Grammar, too! You\u2019re the only one looking at it!!<\/p>\n

What kind of journal will you keep?<\/p>\n

Spread the word \u2026 NOT the icing!<\/em><\/p>\n

Janice
\nwise * fun * utterly useful<\/em><\/p>\n

____________________________________________
\nFor the best in wellness and weight loss wisdom, visit Janice:
\nOur Lady of Weight Loss<\/a>
\njoin the\u00a0Kick in the Tush Club<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Follow Janice on\u00a0Twitter @OurLady<\/a>
\nFacebook.com\/OurLadyofWeightLoss<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Journaling is an ancient practice dating back, as far as we can see, to 10th Century Japan. It is a tradition that has been kept alive by teenagers and famous people, alike. And there is mounting evidence that journaling has a positive effect on both our physical and mental well-being. The Many Health Benefits of…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":123,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[457,156,2417,70,3,1207,1,19,2100],"tags":[2021,3838,3820,671,3818,3826,3834,3825,2554,3837,3875],"class_list":["post-2850","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-depression","category-emotional-eating","category-happy-living-tip","category-janice-taylor","category-motivation","category-spiritual-weight-loss-2","category-weight-loss","category-weight-loss-art","category-weight-loss-success-coach","tag-creative-thinking","tag-depression","tag-happiness","tag-how-to-lose-weight","tag-inspiration","tag-janice-taylor","tag-mental-health","tag-our-lady-of-weight-loss","tag-the-power-of-journaling","tag-weight-loss-motivation","tag-weight-loss-success-coach"],"yoast_head":"\nDepression: Journaling Your Way to Mental Health - Our Lady of Weight Loss<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/ourladyofweightloss\/2011\/10\/depression-journaling-your-way-to-mental-health.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Depression: Journaling Your Way to Mental Health - Our Lady of Weight Loss\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Journaling is an ancient practice dating back, as far as we can see, to 10th Century Japan. 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